Now is the time for federal action on fracking, say Indigenous lawyer and doctor duo

Media AdvisoryMay 11, 2015

On Tuesday, May 12, Indigenous lawyer Caleb Behn and pediatrician Dr. Kathleen Nolan will be in Ottawa to urge the federal government to act now. Canadians across the country are reminding Members of Parliament and Senators that they have a responsibility to protect public health, our drinking water, and ecosystems from the impact of fracking.

“There appears to be a regulatory gap at the federal level regarding new high-risk low-data extractive technologies, notably high-volume multi-stage fracking. Members of Parliament need to step up and address the stories emerging in oil and gas country communities regarding water contamination and health impacts as well as the Canadian contribution to climate change,” says Emma Lui, national water campaigner with the Council of Canadians. “Fracking is one of the biggest threats of our time and now is the time for federal leadership.”

Caleb Behn, who is Eh Cho Dene and Dunne-Za from Treaty 8 Territory, has witnessed the devastating impacts of fracking on his territory, Fort Nelson First Nation. Dr. Nolan warns that the level of understanding of the health impacts of fracking are wholly inadequate. Astonishingly, over 200 chemicals used in the fracking process have not been assessed for public safety by either Health Canada or Environment Canada.